The book of James seems to be a compilation of a set of Christian teachings sent out to the churches of the world under the name of the Lord’s brother. The author/editor probably selected this name, James, to suggest that now the church as the new Israel has a new patriarchal authority in the person of James of Jerusalem. “Faith apart from works is dead” is probably the most famous of all passages in James. It has wide popular appeal because it makes good common sense. The author is obviously correcting a false notion about faith. Some people apparently thought that faith was mere belief in certain doctrines like the unity of God. Such belief is not faith, for even the demons can believe that much. True faith, rather is the kind of belief which produces good works.
The book of James seems to be a compilation of a set of Christian teachings sent out to the churches of the world under the name of the Lord’s brother. The author/editor probably selected this name, James, to suggest that now the church as the new Israel has a new patriarchal authority in the person of James of Jerusalem. “Faith apart from works is dead” is probably the most famous of all passages in James. It has wide popular appeal because it makes good common sense. The author is obviously correcting a false notion about faith. Some people apparently thought that faith was mere belief in certain doctrines like the unity of God. Such belief is not faith, for even the demons can believe that much. True faith, rather is the kind of belief which produces good works.
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